The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air: "Talking Turkey"

Premiered November 19, 1990.

Hello Sally?  This is Vivian Banks.  You had us scheduled for a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. We'd like to cancel it.  Well, were gonna have the kids make dinner.  What do you mean "good luck?"
-Vivian Banks

It's the day before Thanksgiving and the Banks family is getting ready for the holiday.

Will's (Will Smith) mother Violo "Vy" Smith (Vernee Watson) comes to visit for the first time since she sent him to live in Bel Air with her sister's family.

She is happy to see Will, but is shocked at the way he and the Banks' kids act around the house.  They seem to have no responsibilities, since most of the household work is done by their butler Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell).  Vy puts the kids the work, making them clear the table and do yard work.

Carlton and Hilary have no idea how to put dishes in the dishwasher.

In addition to Vy, there will be another dinner guest at Thanksgiving.  The Banks' son Carlton (Alphonso Ribeiro) has invited his English teacher Ned Fellows (Jonathan Emerson) to join them.  Mr. Fellows has no family nearby, plus Carlton's grades have been slipping and he hopes this gesture will help.

Vy confronts her sister Vivian (Janet Hubert) about their lifestyle.  She says her sister spoils her kids and Will.  Vy is worried that the only thing Will is learning is "how to be a rich kid."

A heated discussion between sisters. 

Vivian is stung by this criticism and denies it.  She discusses the matter with her husband Phil (James Avery), who thinks Vy has a point.  Vivian cancels their catered Thanksgiving dinner and decides that Will and his cousins will prepare the meal.

Vivian cancels the catered Thanksgiving dinner!

On the morning of Thanksgiving, Vivian gets the kids out of bed early to start preparing the feast. She barks orders and seems to be channeling her sister Vy.

Carlton, Will, Hilary (Karyn Parsons) and Ashley (Tatyana Ali) are rudely awakened by Vivian.

Carlton is worried that the change of dinner plans will jeopardize his plan to impress his teacher.

Will and his cousins get started in the kitchen.  None of them has any idea how to cook.

Will Thanksgiving dinner be a disaster in the Banks household?

J.A. Morris says:

This is a solid holiday episode of a 1990s sitcom.

It utilizes two common tropes seen in Thanksgiving programming:

1.Visiting relatives getting on each others' nerves (also present in Christmas film & television).
2.Arguments about food preparation that usually lead to culinary disasters.

Hilary versus a poppin' fresh muffin tin!

In this case, Vivian knowingly sabotages Thanksgiving dinner just to make a point to Vy.  We can understand why Vivian would be upset at being labeled a bad mother, but ruining the dinner for everyone is a bit over the top.

Carlton reads Ashley a story about the first Thanksgiving.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air featured a good ensemble cast.  When you watch it today, you can see that Will Smith was by far the most talented actor on the show.  In 1990, he was known only for his work as a rapper, but in this episode, he already shows the humor and charisma that would make him a major movie star.

There's also a funny but sweet moment where the family dances to the Temptations' "Ain't To Proud To Beg."  Phil tries to teach his kids how do to The Swim, which gives James Avery a chance to show off some nice dance moves.

"Talking Turkey" is no classic, but it's an enjoyable episode that makes me laugh a few times with every viewing.  It's especially recommended for fans of Will Smith and admirers of 1990s clothing trends (which my co-blogger discusses below in more detail).

J.A. Morris' rating:

3 pumpkin pies

The family gathers around the table as is often portrayed on TV and film.

RigbyMel says:

This is a solid, fun Thanksgiving episode, but not necessarily a "classic".

Mr. Fellows samples Carlton's (gloppy) dressing.  Yish!

There are the expected cooking disasters and family tensions, as J.A. Morris points out above.  My only issue with the way the plot plays out is that it seems to me that anyone asking kids to cook  in an attempt to teach them about responsibility would perhaps opt to supervise their work in the kitchen rather than leaving them to their own devices.    On the other hand,  without the supervision, I guess we do not have much of a plot.

Cranberry sauce on the floor in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... 

This episode also highlights an aspect of family via the relationship between Vivian and Vy -- when family gets together, sometimes we revert to roles from when we were younger.  

The Banks family gets down to the Temptations.

One gets the impression that Vy is (perhaps) the elder sibling of the two and feels responsible for looking out for Vivian, even if her looking out comes in the form of observations that Vivian finds uncomfortable.   Vivian finds that Vy may have a point (reinforced by her subsequent conversation with her husband) and decides to act on that advice in a somewhat rash manner.    I know I've been at family get-togethers and had siblings say things to me that cut me to the quick and caused me to react rashly, so this feels pretty relate-able.

Behold the 1980s slowly turning into the 1990s in a single outfit!

On a different note, it's fun to watch old sitcoms like this for the fashions and material culture on show sometimes.   This episode features some rather fabulous and far out examples of late 1980s/early 1990s style.

If you like Will Smith or miss the 1990s, this episode is worth a look.

RigbyMel's rating:

2 and a half pumpkin pies

Arsenic and Old Lace

Premiered September 23, 1944

"Look, I probably should have told you this before but you see ... well ... insanity runs in my family. ... It practically gallops." - Mortimer Brewster

It's Halloween in Brooklyn, and well-known author and theatre critic Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant) weds his neighbor, minister's daughter Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane).  They're planning to run off to Niagara Falls for a honeymoon.

But before they depart, they stop to visit Mortimer's aunts Abby (Josephine Hull) and Martha (Jean Adair), who live with his brother Teddy (John Alexander).

Mortimer opens a window seat and is shocked when he finds -- a dead body!
He believes it's the work of Teddy, who thinks he's President Theodore Roosevelt.  (Teddy is a bit touched in the head.)

Mortimer tries to break this news to his aunts gently, but to his chagrin, is told they know all about it! In fact, they killed the man.  It turns out that Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha have been taking in lonely old man boarders who have no family for years and poisoning them with arsenic-laced wine.  The aunts consider their work to be merciful rather than murderous since all the old gentlemen were alone in life.

Mortimer is utterly beside himself -- how can his sweet old aunties,  beloved in the neighborhood for their charitable deeds and kindness be responsible for more than a dozen cold blooded murders?   And how have they been disposing of the bodies?

The Aunts explain that they get Teddy to help them by sending him to the basement to dig locks for the "Panama Canal" (he does think he's TR, remember)  Then they tell him their poisoning victims fell prey to "yellow fever" and need to be buried quickly  (in the "locks").   They make sure each gentleman receives a proper burial with hymn singing and everything.

Mortimer decides the only thing to be done is to  blame the murders on Teddy's mental state.    To do this, he must convince a judge to commit his brother to the Happy Dale Sanatorium.

Things become further complicated when Mortimer's OTHER brother Jonathan (Raymond Massey) shows up unexpectedly.   He has been leading a life of crime and is responsible for more than a few homicides himself.  Jonathan is accompanied by a man called Dr. Einstein (Peter Lorre) who plans to perform plastic surgery to disguise Jonathan's identity ... and ANOTHER dead body!

Meanwhile, new bride Elaine wonders why her recently minted husband Mortimer suddenly seems to be avoiding her!

Will Moritmer and Elaine make it to Niagara Falls?  How many people will wind up at Happy Dale? (or in prison?)  Will more bodies pile up in the Brewsters' basement?
Watch out for elderberry wine!

RigbyMel says:

I discovered this deliciously dark comedy when I was in high school.   The premise is insane and the insanity builds to ridiculous screwball levels as the movie progresses.

Cary Grant does an amazing job as poor, put upon Mortimer.   His gifts for physical comedy are fully evident in this film.

Josephine Hull and Jean Adair are charmingly homicidal as the Aunties.   (Yes, I realize that  calling murderers charming is odd,  just roll with it.) They are utterly and completely uncomprehending of whatever could be upsetting Mortimer so much.  In fact, they put it down to his being a newlywed!

There is also a rather brilliant running gag involving psychotic brother Jonathan -- Dr. Einstein apparently botched the last plastic surgery procedure and everyone keeps telling Jonathan he resembles Boris Karloff.    This sends Jonathan into paroxysms of rage, and is also an inside joke as Karloff actually played Jonathan in  Arsenic and Old Lace's original run on Broadway!

The ensemble as a whole is very funny from a long-suffering taxi driver (Garry Owen) waiting to take Moritmer & Elaine to Niagara, to the dim bulb beat cop (Jack Carson) who wants to share his unpublished play, since Mortimer is a famous drama critic.

"CHAAARRRGE!" (the staircase is always San Juan Hill!)

John Alexander's commitment to Teddy's obsession with Teddy Roosevelt is incredible. It's great that they kept the same actor from the original play in this role so the performance is preserved.

You can definitely tell that this is pretty much a filmed version of the play with just a few little "opening out" scenes like the line for the marriage license and some business in the graveyard between the Aunties' house and Elaine's.   But that doesn't take away from the gruesome glee of the story.

This film would be a wonderful addition to any Halloween festivities.   You'll die laughing.  *rim shot*

RigbyMel's rating:

4 jack o'lanterns


J.A. Morris says:

Unlike RigbyMel, I hadn't seen this until recently, but I saw the play years ago.  The film's dialogue feels fresher in some ways than other 1940s films, perhaps due to its origin as a stage play.

Halloween is not exactly central to the plot here.  But we do get a scene that features an early version of trick or treating.

 And the opening credits feature traditional Halloween symbols like witches, owls and black cats.

But the creepy, macabre atmosphere certainly adds to the Halloween sensibility.


I'm a big fan of Cary Grant's movies and Arsenic and Old Lace features some of his best acting.  He's constantly running around, shrieking and making crazy faces.

Priscilla Lane isn't remember very well today, but she was a star in the 1930s and 40s.  Lane was often cast in "girl next door" roles, in this film, she literally plays the girl next door and does a fine job playing off Grant.

And I agree with everything my co-blogger said about the supporting cast.

Arsenic and Old Lace was directed by Frank Capra.  Today, he is best known for directing another holiday film, It's a Wonderful Life.  His films tend to be sentimental.  On the surface, the Brewster sisters seem to fit a "sweet little old lady" stereotype that could have fit into any other Capra picture. However, this story turns that image on its head.  Capra deserves credit for honoring the source material and retaining its morbid humor.

Halloween is not exactly central to the plot here.  But we do get a scene that features an early version of trick or treating and the opening credits feature traditional Halloween symbols like witches, owls and black cats.

Arsenic and Old Lace is a classic adaptation that makes for great Halloween viewing.

J.A. Morris' rating:

4 jack o'lanterns!

Black-ish: "The Prank King"

Premiered October 29, 2014.

"What I love most about Halloween is a Johnson family tradition I like to call 'pranking the living crap out of each other.'"
-Dre Johnson

It's Halloween and the Johnson family is preparing for Halloween.  Dre Johnson (Anthony Anderson) is excited because everyone in his family engages in a glorious festival of outrageous pranks during the spooky season.  Dre prides himself on being the king of pranks his family and is delighted that his oldest child Zoey (Yara Shahidi) is an "evil genius" in this regard, particularly where her younger brother Andre Jr (Marcus Scribner) is concerned.

Dre admires his Halloween handiwork

Zoey surprises her father when she says she's outgrown pranking and won't participate in the Halloween shenanigans, calling it "kind of lame."  Her mother Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) understands that Zoey is a teenager, but Dre is heartbroken.  He hates the idea that his little girl is growing up.

But Dre is undaunted.  He remembers that one of Zoey's favorite activities is watching bad stuff happen her little brother.  Dre decides to enlist the twins, Jack and Diane's (Miles Brown and Marsai Martin) help in pranking Junior in order to remind Zoey of the joys of seasonal pranks.   His stunt fails as  Zoey finds the prank  to be "kind of mean" and tells Dre to "grow up."
Making matters worse, Junior also says he's done with pranks.

With the pranking tradition seemingly dead, the Dre and Bow dedicate their energies to the family Halloween costume.  They plan to dress up as the 70s-era Jackson Five!
Junior and Zoey flatly refuse to participate.  Bow and Dre are let down over this and feel like their family is falling apart.

Meanwhile, outrageous pranks at Dre's office cause his clueless boss, Mr. Stevens (Peter Mackenzie) to put a stop to the office hilarity after Charlie (Deon Cole) accidentally/on purpose punches dopey co-worker Josh (Jeff Meacham) in the face.

With pranking now out of the question at work,  the Johnsons attempt to regroup as best they can. Since they are down to only four family costume participants, they decide to dress as the Beatles.

Unfortunately,  Diane and Jack say they're not interested in candy, since they just learned about diabetes in school!

This is too much for Dre.  He decides that Halloween is now cancelled, and demonstrates this by attacking his elaborate yard display.  He pouts, saying he has no children, since they're all determined to be grown-ups now!  

Will the Johnson family manage to have a happy Halloween after all this?  Or is the holiday ruined?

RigbyMel says:

This is a very enjoyable holiday episode of a fun series.  It taps into various family dynamics like sibling rivalry and parents' mixed feelings at seeing their children grow up.

Dre vs. Halloween lawn decor.

Halloween is a holiday usually associated with children that has been appropriated by adults who want to hang on to their own childhoods in recent years.  This episode humorously illustrates this -- Dre (and Bow, to a lesser extent) seem to be way more invested in the holiday than their kids.   The "adults" at Dre's office engage in stupid pranks that involve the injury of co-workers.

BUT "The Prank King" also taps into the understandable fear that people with whom we are close might not appreciate or understand us.   As there should be in a Halloween episode, there is a bit of a plot twist that helps mitigate those fears.

The comedic timing of all the actors is impressive -- particularly when Anthony Anderson as Dre gets more of a scare than he bargained for and begins crawling around his living room army style!

Child actors on TV sitcoms are frequently obnoxious, but the Johnson kids all come off as both genuine AND funny in their quirkiness.  The young actors playing them do a great job in this (and pretty much every other episode) of  Black*ish.

This episode is well worth seeking out and is available on Amazon streaming and on DVD.

RigbyMel's rating:

4 jack o'lanterns

The polyester glory of the "Jackson 5 plus Janet"

J.A. Morris says:

Black-ish is one of my favorite current series and "The Prank King" is one of its strongest episodes. While watching, I thought of my own decision to stop Trick or Treating at age 12.  The first year without treats was a tough one, but it was part of growing up.  My parents accepted this decision with more grace than Dre shows here.

Dre disguised as a chair.

This episode also deals with the dynamics of the parents' relationship.  As prank king, Dre has driven Bow to her limits and she's looking for a way to usurp his title.  We get a scene where Bow tells the kids she really needs "a win" against Dre because sometimes he's hard to deal with.  However, it's obvious that Bow loves him very much.

The actors are all excellent in "The Prank King."

Anderson gives his all here, especially during the scene where Dre freaks out and attacks his Halloween display.  Tracee Ellis Ross shows she's more than a match for Anderson when it comes to comic timing.  

Dre cancels Halloween by "executing" a ghost with a nail gun!

I appreciated Marcus Scribner's performance as Junior.  Scribner plays straight man to the rest of the Johnson family and is often the victim of pranks.  But he's a good sport and still delivers some very funny lines.

Deon Cole and Trent Meacham, are also very funny as Dre's co-workers Charlie and Josh.  And all the actors do a good job making funny "scared" faces throughout this episode.

Dre as "mid-70s Tito."

"The Prank King" is a great Halloween episode.  I wouldn't go so far as to rate it a "classic," but it's one I plan to watch during many Octobers yet to come.

J.A. Morris' rating:

4 jack o'lanterns!